Overview
Slide 1 of 11
The first sparks of the autumn color blaze arrive in September for those who live in the Northeast. Hues of crimson, gold and orange spread slowly southward through the months of October and early November, putting on a perennial show of color through the Appalachians and deciduous forests across the country. Check out some of the most stunning of Mother Nature's displays in the country.
Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
A Golden Touch
Slide 1 of 11
The same chemicals that give carrots, corn and bananas their color are also present in most tree leaves. Yellow and gold coloration is caused by xanthophylls and carotenoids, which remain hidden in a leaf while it's still green. Some trees such as aspen and birch will only turn yellow or gold as the days grow shorter, never storing up quite enough sugars in the leaves for a later display of red.
NA/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
In the Red
Slide 1 of 11
Some species of maple turn brilliant red after storing up sugars in their leaves. A single tree may vary in shades of red based on which side is facing the sun, and which side remains in the shade. In the fall months, lots of sunlight and cool nights tend to make ideal conditions for a display of deep red.
Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Altitude Tempers Attitude
Slide 1 of 11
Higher elevations tend to limit the range of color that leaves will express. The trees in Sugar House Park, Salt Lake City, Utah, express yellow and gold before falling to the ground. A full cycle from color changing to the leaves falling happens quickly at high elevation, sometimes within a span as short as two weeks.
Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
An Industry of Color
Slide 1 of 11
Northeastern states like Vermont and Maine are popular with tourists clamoring to get an early peek at the autumn color show. Vermont's abundance of maple trees used in syrup production concentrates a spectacular show of red and orange across the state.
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Nice Tan(nins)
Slide 1 of 11
When a sudden freeze descends, the pigments that cause vibrant yellows and reds break down in a tree's leaves. Only tannins remain, and shades of brown take hold. A combination of an early frost and dry season could zap the full fall color potential in an area.
Andy Sotiriou/Photodisc/Getty Images
Among Evergreens
Slide 1 of 11
Autumn colors become especially accented in mixed forests that have evergreens like pines and firs. Alongside their deciduous showboat relatives, evergreens serve the role of conservative aunt. Evergreen needles are much tougher than the broad and fragile leaves on a maple or dogwood tree. But paired together, they offer a stark contrast of color in the autumn months.
NA/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
City Leaves
Slide 1 of 11
City dwellers don't necessarily need to head for the hills to see autumn's splendor. Central Park in New York City, for example, has elm, dogwood and maple, among others. Many larger cities have documented their parks' tree diversity online, so it can't hurt to search there first before hitting the road to Maine.
Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The Golden Rockies
Slide 1 of 11
Aspen trees are the dominant autumn attraction in the western woods of the country. Aspens tend to thrive in higher elevations, and their golden displays weave among the pines and other conifers of the Rocky Mountains. The deeper reds and oranges found in New England are much less common in these western areas.
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
Stretching Southward
Slide 1 of 11
As the cold days of autumn stretch southward, the forests of the Appalachian foothills change color. Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina is mainly a deciduous woodland, and home to a variety of trees that display the fall spectrum of light yellows to deep burgundy.
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
-
Replay this slideshow
The End!
Slide 1 of 11
We hope you liked 9 Breathtaking Glimpses of Autumn. Start this slideshow over or check out one of these other slideshows.
Check out one of these articles!
-
Hotels Near JFK Library in Boston
Whether you want a room with panoramic views of Boston Harbor or budget-friendly accommodations, there is a hotel near the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library to suit your needs. The area is home ...
-
Yosemite Area Accommodations
One of the earliest accommodations in Yosemite National Park was a simple log cabin built in 1855. Twenty-four years later, the Wawona Hotel opened across the valley from the cabin. Motels, hotels ...
-
Hotels Near Tortuga Island in Costa Rica
It would be great if Costa Rica’s idyllic Tortuga Island offered hotels for visitors eager to explore the island’s sandy beaches, waters rich in marine life and luxuriant rain forest. But ...
-
London Hotels With River Views
Hotels in London run the gamut -- from traditional and contemporary to historic -- catering to the leisurely tourist and business traveler. According to the Cranley Report, central London has more ...
-
Luxury Hotels in Martinique, West Indies
The Caribbean island of Martinique, which is an overseas region of France, offers a wide choice of lodging options, ranging from tiny bed and breakfasts to family-run guest houses to lavish beach ...
-
